Chapter 18 Question

Chapter 18 Question
This pressure made me slowly go crazy, even though everything seemed fine. But, the truth was that I was always hiding it all.

I was already used to this busy life that drained my time and energy. Many worries were piling up in my mind. I really didn't think too much about my own problems, because I knew my performance at work needed to be evaluated.

However, that meant it was all about Chris. I didn't make many changes that should have been in line with what was promised in the beginning. Where was the professional label? Instead, I was dragging him into a circle that revolved around something unimportant and pointless.

While my mind was busy, everyone around me was too. How could I not, right inside the Mercodya garage I was in the midst of dozens of people struggling with the tense moment of 22 conglomerates racing cars that were travelling faster than 330km/h.

I hear the engineers' conversations, while others are busy watching from the screens in front of them. Everyone was tense, the race strategist looked giddy too. There was a spin, a small collision between Chris and another driver, but thankfully no crash.

The clock is ticking. Even though I'm not a motorsport watcher and all that, I can understand the situation here is not good. Although it was masked by Chris's teammate going fast and being able to secure better intervals.

However, that doesn't make it something to be proud of. They were lagging behind the drivers who were securing the top 3 positions, especially Chris who seemed to be getting quite a long interval or gap from the car in front of him.

"Pit."

Daniel Friezy, Mercodya's race strategist quickly requested a tyre change to the race engineer. Robert Hetherington, affectionately known to us as Roger, the race engineer on the line immediately contacted Chris for a pit stop.

"Alright, box box." Roger immediately contacted Chris via radio-headset.

"What, at a time like this?"

"This is our only opening. Get in now, give them your fastest lap on the way out, and we'll overtake them at the next corner. Trust me."

This must be a bad situation, I've been repeating that phrase over and over in my head. Come on Chris, what's bothering you? Is your school schedule too tiring? But, haven't I helped some of it? Even your tutor isn't too burdensome.

Or was there a problem with the friendship? But... Chris is not the kind of person who cares too much about that. In fact, Chris was spinning, even though he made a good save before his car "touched" the other car. A split second, a split second of time, that's an amazing moment behind an incident.

As Chris entered the pit area, he was immediately greeted by the pit crew who changed the set of tyres on his car. I was amazed at how fast they were able to get the car back on track in just 1.90 seconds.

My breath caught in my throat, Chris didn't look in the best of shape. However, I knew he was still holding on to his ambition that was as hot as volcanic lava. He came back in the best possible calculation, he did the overtake, the defence, and switched on the DRS at the right time.

The guys on the pit wall were starting to look more relieved. The drivers' battle on the track was getting crazier, there were some tense, funny, and exciting moments, all mixed together.

At the end of the race, Chris still secured 4th place. Off pole, but it's not bad. There are still many other GPs to come. And today was a lesson learnt to improve our strategy and skills for the future.

There was only the celebration of Chris's teammate who managed to keep 2nd place on pole, even though Chris didn't get pole position but he still celebrated with the team by taking a group photo and spraying champagne in front of the pit garage.

I watched that moment with a smile on my face. Although I knew it wouldn't last as there were other things that were bothering me.

Meanwhile, when things had cooled down and calmed down, Chris was summoned by Mercodya's team principal. There was a brief meeting-more like a one-on-one conversation. In fact, I was asked not to come along. This bothered me, because I was the person most entitled to accompany Chris-other than his parents-in the event of something like this.

"I'm sorry, but this is about company secrets and the garage," Mr Theo said. "No need to worry, it's about Chris's qualification progress, there's nothing to worry about."

While I waited in front of the team principal's room, I kept thinking about the dozens of events that had happened over the past few months. It all felt so dense and fast, like a queue of cars on a busy road on a late afternoon after work.

Chris is also a lot quieter - in the sense that he seems different, like he's keeping something to himself. He was the type who always wanted to look great and strong, but he was also human - and still only 18 years old.

"Don't think about it too much, son. You just have to prepare yourself, get some rest. There are still many opportunities to pursue."

After sitting for a while in front of the team principal's room, I heard a faint sound that was getting clearer from inside the room. I turned my head and found the door open, Chris and Mr Theo coming out with a casual conversation.

Is it true that nothing happened? But... Chris looked quite tired - more tired than before he entered the room.

"Oh, sorry to keep you waiting, miss. Now I'll give you back your boyfriend, hahaha."

That joke earned me an awkward attack for the umpteenth time. Like some kind of mental contact- we glanced at each other, as if to make sure no one was bothered by the joke.

"Ah, take it easy Mr Theo. I'm waiting while playing a game," I said, continuing the joke.

We then went home, more precisely back to the hotel. After a very tiring agenda all day. While thinking about many things, Chris again added to my thoughts with his silent and flat expression all the way back to the hotel.

"Chris, don't hide anything."

Chris gasped and turned his head, his face strongly hinting at confusion, but there was a hint of annoyance on his face.

"Don't be a know-it-all. Stop surmising."

"Then what happened last time was because of what? Because you were making a joke?" I turned my head with a tired expression mixed with boredom. "I always ask how you're doing, but your answer is always the same."

"I'm fine. It's none of your business. Don't pretend to care. You think an answer like that will end the problem?"